OCSD sets vision, goals and mission at public meeting

November 10, 2012

Oktibbeha County School District conservator Jayne Sargent confirmed the goals, motto, mission statement and vision statement for the district at its meeting Monday, planning to reveal more specific methods of achieving these aims at a later date.

The goals and other items Sargent discussed Monday were largely identical to those found on a written statement she issued Friday. None of the four tenets were on the districtâ€™s agenda as printed Friday, but Sargent added them to the agenda at the beginning of Mondayâ€™s meeting.

â€śWe wanted to be sure that the school district had a vision and mission statement ... and be sure we had goals to lead us in this school term,â€ť Sargent said. â€śWe kept our motto that we already had. The administrative staff and I met on last Thursday on these goals and adopted them from the staff, so I present them publicly today.â€ť

The goals Sargent gave for the school district were to regain accreditation in the school district, to improve academic performance and achievement for all students and to maintain fiscal stability and integrity.

â€śOur vision is to become a highly rated school district that graduates compassionate, productive citizens who are knowledgeable and prepared to be successful in a global society,â€ť Sargent said. â€śOur mission, in partnership with parents and the community, is to provide every student with a quality education.â€ť

Sargent said district staff will also begin on Thursday to list specific ways the vision, mission and goals can be fulfilled. She said she plans to disseminate this list through the media and through handouts for parents in the schools.

In the meantime, Sargent said she is glad to have the vision, mission, motto and goals ready.

â€śIt gives us direction,â€ť Sargent said. â€śWe have been struggling somewhat to date, but I didnâ€™t want it to be â€” and I didnâ€™t want it to appear to be â€” my goals, but rather those of the district.â€ť

Assistant Superintendent Gale Shumaker also gave a brief report outlining a few personnel changes Sargent approved, none of which were terminations. These included the hiring of a few bus drivers and a new custodian, a teacher changing from an assistant teacher to a special education personal care assistant and a title change for Julius Clarke.
â€śClarke will now be the district emphasis administrator,â€ť Shumaker said. â€śHe will no longer be (in charge of) Title I.â€ť